This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), State Office. The incumbent serves as State Soil Scientist and provides leadership for developing, managing, and directing a comprehensive and integrated technical soil services program for the state, serves as the state liaison with National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) cooperators and is supervised by the State Conservationist.

Duties

Ensures that soil surveys and other services are responsive to the needs of the various users, in compliance with standards and policies, and that resources are utilized efficiently and economically. Provides guidance to the Regional Soil Science Division Director to develop and implement the soil survey program in the Soil Survey Region. Provides technical guidance to Soil Survey Office staff members. Consults with and advises national off ice soil scientists, state off ice soil scientists, and directors of cooperating agencies on both technical and administrative problems affecting the progress and technical quality of soil surveys. Provides the state leadership role of interdisciplinary technical and resources application teams utilizing soils information. Provides leadership and coordination for National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) policies and procedures with all cooperators in the state. Provides supervision to members of the State Soils Program staff performing a full range of supervisory functions. Works with regional soils division and Soil Survey leaders, NCSS cooperators, state agencies, units of government and others as part of the cooperative soil survey program. Assist in the implementation of the MA/VT Soil Health Strategic Plans including delivery of soil health training.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected, you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration for the GS-13 grade level. Basic Education Requirement: Degree: Degree: Soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in soil science or a related discipline that included at least 30 semester hours in the biological, physical, or earth sciences. At least 15 of these semester hours must have been in the areas specified above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13 level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal service which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position must include: Provides guidance and assistance in planning, design, and implementation of a balanced soils information programs; Lead in the development and implementation of innovative technical soil services; Assist in development of soil survey program quality assurance and oversight. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-13 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov) Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Harley Morelock
• Phone: 419-807-8868
• Email: [email protected]